On 21st May 2018, Lord Ahmed tabled an Oral Question ‘To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to encourage Iran and Saudi Arabia to work together to bring peaceful solutions to the conflicts in Syria and Yemen.’ The Bishop of Worcester, the Rt Revd Dr John Inge, asked a supplementary question:

This week in the House of Lords the Bishop of St Albans welcomed the Government announcement on the reduction in the maximum stake for fixed-odds betting terminals from £100 to £2. Bishops also asked questions about Gaza, immigration removals and appeals, renewable energy, forced marriage, childcare costs, Universal Credit, NHS chaplaincy, forestry, and support for cathedrals. Bishops voted on amendments to the Government’s EU (Withdrawal) Bill and the Bishop of Lincoln was appointed to a Lords Committee on Regenerating Seaside Towns and Communities.Continue reading “Week in Westminster, 14th May – 18th May 2018”

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On 17th May 2018 Lord Ashton of Hyde repeated a statement made in the House of Commons by the Culture Secretary, about the Government’s new policy on gaming machines and social responsibility. The Bishop warmly welcomed the news that maximum stakes on fixed-odds betting machines would be reduced from £100 to £2:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans: My Lords, I too welcome this Statement, which represents a significant progress in our efforts to bring about a sensible and ordered scheme of gambling regulation in this country. I also pay tribute to the Minister in this House, to the Minister in the other place, to the Secretary of State and to the Prime Minister for their moral courage in the face of a lot of opposition in making this excellent decision, not least to reduce the stakes for FOBTs down to £2. Continue reading “Bishop of St Albans welcomes Government announcement on fixed-odds betting terminals”

On 17th May 2018 the House of Lords approved a motion to create a Committee to meet for a year, to consider the regeneration of seaside towns and communities. The Bishop of Lincoln, Rt Revd Christopher Lowson, was appointed as one of the Members of the Committee:

On 17th May 2018 Baroness Thornton asked Her Majesty’s Government “what steps the Department of Health and Social Care and the National Health Service are taking to support the mental health of the NHS workforce in England.” The Bishop of St Albans, Rt Revd Alan Smith, asked a follow-up question:

On 17th May 2018 the Bishop of Durham, Rt Revd Paul Butler, received a written answer to three questions he had tabled on Universal Credit:

Lord Bishop of Durham:

(i) To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many families claiming Universal Credit incur childcare costs above £760.42 per month for one child or £1303.57 for two or more children.

(ii) To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to ensure that the maximum amount of childcare costs supported through Universal Credit reflects the cost of full-time childcare for children under three.